Eala braces for tough test vs world No.10 Anisimova

CEBU, Philippines — Alex Eala faces a tough hurdle as the Filipina tennis trailblazer clashes with world No.10 Amanda Anisimova of the United States in the third round of Cincinnati Open 2026 today (Tuesday, August 18 Philippine time) at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.

The match is estimated to start at 8:30 a.m. at the earliest.

The 21-year-old Eala barged into the Round of 32 after winning by walkover against Elena-Gabriela Ruse in her Cincinatti debut three days ago.

Eala, who bagged her first WTA Tour crown at the Washington Open two weeks ago, was dominating 6-1, 3-0 when Ruse retired due to injury. The Romanian had received treatment on her right ankle just before play was halted by a thunderstorm.

Eala will be taking on Anisimova for the first time in her career.

The American ninth seed advanced after eliminating Turk Zeynep Sonmez 6-2, 6-3.

The pride of the Philippines who is currently ranked No.20 in the world braces for an uphill battle against the 24-year-old Anisimova, a four-time WTA champion and a runner-up in both the US Open and Wimbledon last year.

A former world No.3, Anisimova reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open last January and became the youngest French Open semifinalist at 17 way back in 2019. — (FREEMAN)